Trainer Zvi Cripple has initiated a lawsuit against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over a “deprivation of care” allegation, seeking a review of a two-year suspension issued by the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Administration (HISA). According to HISA’s records, Cripple failed to provide necessary veterinary care to his horse Royal Honey at Belterra Park, Ohio, after the mare showed signs of colic on August 23, 2025. The horse later collapsed and died early on August 25 due to a twisted colon and gastrointestinal rupture.
HISA’s decision is grounded in its Regulation 2215 concerning welfare and care deprivation. Documents suggest Cripple did not arrange veterinary help on August 23 and declined an offer from another trainer to transport Royal Honey to a veterinary hospital at no cost. Cripple has denied these claims, explaining that his regular vet was on vacation and the replacement left early, forcing him and nearby trainers to administer initial treatments themselves. He reported the horse’s condition worsened, but he struggled to find a willing veterinarian during that time.
Dr. Timothy Wren, Royal Honey’s usual vet, testified he was 100 miles away and unable to see the horse but advised urgent care and suggested other vets. According to Dr. Wren, trainers offered free transport to a veterinary hospital, which Cripple reportedly refused. Dr. Tony Wolfe, a vet from Kentucky, also offered care that was declined. Cripple claimed transport was impossible without a valid health certificate, though Kentucky law allows entry to veterinary facilities without one. Cripple left Royal Honey resting at 1:30 a.m. on August 25; she was later found dead after collapsing from her stall.
Cripple insists he did everything to care for his horses and alleges fear among witnesses to testify against HISA. Royal Honey, a 5-year-old racehorse owned and trained by Cripple, had a limited racing career with only two starts. Following the suspension decision by HISA’s internal committee, Cripple lost his Kentucky ranch and relocated his horses to West Virginia, which is outside HISA’s jurisdiction. Without legal representation, he submitted his case to the FTC, aided by AI tools.
Additionally, Cripple’s Ohio horse racing license was revoked “with prejudice,” forcing him to remove his horses from Belterra Park. A track steward criticized Cripple’s history of neglect, citing prior animal cruelty charges from 2009 in California, where he was convicted but later cleared and allowed to resume training. Cripple has had a mixed record since then, with some racing activity from 2022 to 2025, producing 39 winning horses from 319 starters.
Fan Take: This case highlights the critical importance of horse welfare and accountability in the racing industry. For fans and stakeholders, it underscores the ongoing challenges of ensuring ethical treatment, which is vital for the sport’s integrity and future credibility.
